Russia becoming a second superpower?

Question

At the moment the United States goes around the world telling us what is right and what is wrong and also putting up its own missile defenses around the world like some kind of emperor.

So looking at the evidence of how much influence Russia has at the moment in most Islamic states when America has none, how long will it be until Russia and its Chinese and Middle Eastern allies start dictating to the US what they are doing.

Contrary to the US, Russia has been a world wide force multiple times throughout history so how dare it tell Russia how to act in its own affairs and interests. If anybody needs telling about empire buidling dominance then its the US for sure. Any feedback on the US hegemony and meglomania would be welcome.

Answer 1

Strictly in military terms, Russia never stopped being a second superpower. They have had the capability to nuke us or anyone else big time. They also have a large and capable conventional military.

Russia's problem was that for a long time, they couldn't afford it. To this day they cannot field as great of military as they once used to.

The US Missile shield is vaporware and always has been. Even if it's built, it could never stop an all out nuclear attack by Russia. However it is proper that the USA build a missile shield if it can because countries like Iran and North Korea have made it very clear they want to acquire nuclear weapons capability and the ability to deliver it. They can't mount an all out nuclear assault with hundreds or thousands of missiles, but in the future they might be able to do a few. That's what the missile shield should be geared towards defending.

All that being said, don't underestimate the power of the USA. It is economically and militarily second to none.

Russia has influence in the middle east? Where? They can't even get Iran to pay them for the half-finished reactor. Oh sure, they can sell them arms, but the middle east doesn't obey Russia either.

China will behave because the USA is their biggest customer. They piss off the USA, and it responds by slapping 100% tariffs on Chinese made goods, and China's economy will crumble. The USA can live without the coffee mugs, clothing and cheap consumer goods for a while, and get them someplace else.

Right now, the middle east has the US over a barrel, literally. It is too dependent on foreign oil and that region is too hostile to the US.

Answer 2

Russia is a great country. Her history and artists are unparalleled and absolutely fascinating.

They have major problems right now. Capitalism is working in Russia, but, they have light years to go before they are competitive with America, Japan, Europe, etc.

Putin has become a sort of elected dictator and has indefinitely suspended freedom of the press the last two years. This is quite sad for the Russian people. They struggled to get freedom, every soul, and deserve better than Putin.

Russia has a maze of government interference and lacks a strong banking system and virtually 3rd world infrastructure.

It will be a long time before they become a superpower politically and economically.

Answer 3

Considering the U.S is building new nukes at the moment all the while telling other countries not too, yes it's making Russia a bit edgy as well as the rest of the world. Especially since the U.S is putting their defence system in what used to be the soviet block countries of the Czech Republic, east Germany and Poland. Why do they feel the need to do this if the cold world is over? I think our military is way out of control.

BTW, the U.S has more nuclear weapons and capability than any other country. And, we are amping it up and making alot more now. It really doesn't matter how many either side has, it is still way too many nukes for the entire world. We need alot less nukes not more nuclear weapons to feel safer.
http://www.cdi.org/nuclear/database/nukestab.html

Answer 4

russia has no pull with the muslim... look at the 10 year war in afgh... they lost over 100k people... while they are becoming a world power... they have little pull with middle east nations,.. in fact it was the US that helped bin ladin fight the soviets in afgh. ... also I would point out that the russians are still trying to pull themselves up by the boot straps after the cold war.. and if you look in the provance of Gorgia you will find a brewing war between the russians , locals and the several middle east factions...

i would also point out the the "russia" nation is 1000 of years old.. while the US is what 300 years old.. and we have always been a "Super power"

not that that matters.. the term Super power really only means something if your willing to use it.. and The United States is not willing to use its power.. they have never poured it on another nation or enemy... what I always say is .. The United States can beat any 3 nations at the same time... but never will be able to because it doesnt want to.. we have become weak in the will.. not in power

Answer 5

Yes, Russia has been important on the world stage for centuries, and still is today. However, it seems to be fast becoming a fascist state, as evidenced by Putin's brutal intimidation, suppression and even murder of his enemies (ie the murders of Anna Politkovskaya and Alexander Litvinenko ). Politicians are terrified of running against Putin, and the fast switch to capitalism has devastated the country (check out J.Stiglitz's 'Globalisation and its Discontents' for details). The enormous gap between rich and poor is making people nostalgic for the Soviet days, Russia has declared its own 'war on terror' against Chechnya, and misery and poverty are contributing to the rise of Soviet neo-Nazis.... all in all, yes, Russia as a state is getting more powerful, but I'm not sure which is the lesser of the two evils--the USA or Russia.

Answer 6

There are many nations in the world that have the capacity to move into 'superpower' status. Not in the immediate future, but they are building themselves up to that stature. America needs to spend more time studying history, and less time talking about Paris Hilton and Brittney Spears - and realize that no nation has held the status of dominant nation indefinitely. In fact, the whole notion of 'SUPERPOWER' is an invention of the US...and one that they will not hold forever.

Answer 7

They still have the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

I have to check, but I believe they have more nuclear weapons then all countries put together minus the US.

AND YES, their nuclear arsenal is larger than ours, but they are not as powerful and less reliable.

So I would say, they never really left as a SuperPower. Esp since they could destroy the world, just like us.

Answer 8

You are scaring me to death! Is the Cold War coming back? I have studied Russian and I want so badly for the U.S. and Russia to be friends.

Answer 9

Always were a superpower.

Answer 10

They are has beens. I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future.